The goal of this clinical trial is to examine whether dynamic visual noise (DVN), a short video array of rapidly moving black and white squares, reduces cravings for and consumption of alcohol in college students who drink alcohol and experience cravings for alcohol at least once a week on average. A second goal of this clinical trial is to examine whether changes in attentional bias towards alcohol (that is, the tendency to pay greater mental and visual attention towards alcohol over other things in one's environment) is a mechanism by which DVN reduces alcohol cravings and consumption.
Researchers will compare DVN to static visual noise (SVN), which is a still image of black and white squares that has been used as a control condition for DVN in prior literature.
Participants will:
1. Visit the laboratory once to complete the baseline data collection 2. Watch the DVN or SVN every day for seven days (including the day of the laboratory visit) 3. Complete daily follow-ups for six days following the day of the laboratory visit 4. Complete a final follow-up on the seventh day following the laboratory visit
Must report being between the age of 18 and 29
Must report drinking alcohol at least once per week on average over the past month
Must report having drank beer or alcoholic seltzers in the past month
Must endorse experiencing craving at least once per week over the past month, on average
Major visual impairment (i.e., legal blindness or color blindness)
History of seizures and/or diagnosed seizure disorder
Current medical diagnosis provided by a qualified professional (i.e., psychologist, psychiatrist, neurologist) that is characterized by cognitive impairment (i.e., neurocognitive disorder due to traumatic brain injury, traumatic brain injury, HIV infection, post-concussive syndrome, and intellectual disability)
Concussion in the past month